With the release of the film PK in 2015, Aamir Khan took aim at religion and caused somewhat of a stir. However, while the film questioned the many rites and rituals of religion, it also highlighted the importance of being honest, loving one another and helping those in need.
As the oldest of the Top Khans of Bollywood, Aamir Khan was also the first to enter the film industry with his appearance in the experimental film Holi in 1984. Over the years he has won numerous awards and nominations for his performance in films such as Taare Zameen Par, Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India, 3 Idiots, Dil Chahta Hai and Rang De Basanti.
As he celebrates another birthday on March 14, we focus on 5 more Aamir Khan films to watch if you are new to Bollywood.
1. Talaash: The Answer Lies Within
English Translation: "Search"
Release Date: 30 November 2012
Director: Reema Kagti
Music by: Ram Sampath
Produced by: Ritesh Sidhwani, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar
Description: Psychological thriller. While investigating the puzzling death of a film star, Police Inspector Surjan Shekhawat (Aamir Khan) meets mysterious sex-worker Rosie (Kareena Kapoor) who becomes an informer for him. As he uncovers more about the case, he finds the unresolved issues in his private life begin to crossover into his professional, connecting him to the case in a way that ultimately changes his life.
Why I Love This Film: While the well-written story seems straightforward, the characters are intriguing and their motives are worth exploring. Just when you think you may know where the story is headed, the tale throws in a twist which makes you want to rewatch the film to identify the clues along the way.
2. Fanaa
English Translation: "Destroyed"
Release Date: 26 May 2006
Director: Kunal Kohli
Music by: Jatin-Lalit, Salim-Sulaiman
Produced by: Aditya Chopra
Description: Romantic crime thriller. Blind Kashmiri girl Zooni Ali Beg (Kajol) travels to Delhi with her performance troupe for Republic Day celebrations. Their tour guide, Rehan Qadri (Aamir Khan), flirts with Zooni and soon the two find they have fallen in love. While in Delhi, Zooni consults an eye surgeon who confirms that her eyesight can be restored. After a successful operation, Zooni's parents (who have arrived from Kashmir) break the news that Rehan was killed in a bomb blast. Years later during a winter storm in Kashmir, a badly injured man collapses on the Zooni's doorstep ... a stranger who seems somewhat familiar.
Why I Love This Film: Perhaps inspired by the 1981 Donald Sutherland film Eye of the Needle, this film deals with tensions in the Kashmiri region. The romance between Rehan and Zooni is filled with honest moments which return to haunt them years later. The all-star supporting cast members bring strong performances and the musical numbers are delightful. A real cinematic treat.
3. Mangal Pandey: The Rising
Release Date: 12 August 2006
Director: Ketan Mehta
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Produced by: Bobby Bedi, Ketan Mehta, Deepa Sahi
Description: Biographical historical film. The movie tells the story of how an Indian soldier helped move the country toward independence. Widely regarded as a freedom fighter in modern India, sepoy Mangal Pandey (Aamir Khan) played a key part in events leading to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British Raj and the East India Company.
Why I Love This Film: One of the best and most memorable historical dramas produced by Bollywood. Period.
4. PK
English Translation: "Tipsy"
Release Date: 19 December 2014
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Music by: Shantanu Moitra, Ajay-Atul, Ankit Tiwari
Produced by: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Description: Science fiction comedy. On an exploratory mission, an alien (Aamir Khan) lands in India - a land rich in religious beliefs and practices - but is stranded when the remote control to his spaceship is stolen. As he searches for the missing device, he meets television reporter Jaggu (Anushka Sharma) who is intrigued by his innocent questions and childlike curiosity and helps him in his quest.
Why I Love This Film: Through the eyes of PK, this film questions many of the cultural beliefs and religious stereotypes that create divisions between communities and nations. The film is both light-hearted and thought-provoking and offers an interesting perspective on what it means to be human.
5. Dhoom 3
English Translation: "Blast 3"
Release Date: 20 December 2013
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Music by: Pritam, Julius Packiam
Produced by: Aditya Chopra
Description: Action film. This third in the series of Dhoom franchise bring brilliant detective Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan) and comic sidekick Ali (Uday Chopra) stateside to help solve a complex series of bank heists in Chicago. Along the way they meet Sahir (Aamir Khan) who is in town to reopen the refurbished Great Indian Circus. Together they work to resolve the mysterious crimes through the clues left behind, including a message in Hindi and a clown mask.
Why I Love This Film: This cat-and-mouse game is full of humor, pathos and lively performances. The musical numbers are big and bold. The action sequences are crazy and physics-defying, and this criminal has more techno gadgets at his disposal than Batman. Not a film to be analyzed closely for realism or inspiring dialogues, this all-around entertainer is a fun ride that never fails to bring a smile.
- Aerial Acrobatics and Vagrant Love (Malang, Dhoom 3)
- Aamir Khan Proves He's Top Dog in Dhoom Tap (Dhoom 3)
The following playlist features the trailers or video selections for each of these films.
If you liked this, share, leave a comment and check out our other posts.